2011-12 Heat Schedule Released: Mavs Rematch Set For Christmas Day

The NBA has released its 2012 schedule (assuming the lockout doesn't delay play), and the Miami Heat will kick off its season at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks. The team will also be working on Christmas Day this year in an NBA Finals rematch against the Dallas Mavericks in an away game.

Despite opening the season on the road, the team will have a large stretch of home games during their first month with nine home games in November and only four away. That should give the team plenty of opportunity to start the season off on good footing.